Ed Nichols has spent 30 years in public education as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He received his Bachelor and Masterís degrees in Music Education from the University of Tennessee. He continued his educational path and received a Doctorate and Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration from the University of Alabama.

As an active member of his community, Ed has served in many community organizations and civic groups. His leadership in these organizations has given him the opportunity to serve as: President of the Rotary Club of Decatur, Daybreak Rotary Club, Chairman of the Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation and President of the Sul Pontecello Orchestra Board. He currently serves on the Salvation Army Board of Directors and the Huntsville Symphony Board. Ed serves as music director for the Central United Methodist Church of Decatur. Ed was a member of the Class XXIV of Leadership Alabama, a statewide organization of established leaders from across the state examining the challenges facing education and the public sector. He is a past president and past executive director of the Alabama Association of School Personnel Administrators and a past member of the Executive Board of the Council of Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) organization. Ed has received numerous awards at both the local, state and national level.

He is married to Miranda Howard Nichols and has one daughter, Meredith, who is an eighth grade student. In his free time, Ed enjoys golfing, traveling with his wife and playing tennis with his daughter.

As a certified Emergenetics associate, consultant, public speaker and facilitator, Ed works with many organizations of various sizes. School systems, healthcare organizations, business teams and non-profit groups have called on Ed for strategic planning and team development. Along with planning and development, he is also available for consulting and speaking engagements.